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Mental Health Awareness

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Mental Health Awareness

Read the scenario, then complete the activities. You do not need to share private experiences: use the scenario or give a general example. There is no single right way to look after wellbeing, and asking for support is a strength.

Scenario: Maia’s busy week

Maia has a school project due soon and has been sleeping less than usual. She feels tense when she thinks about the deadline and has stopped going to touch rugby with her friends. Her friend notices and says, “You don’t seem like yourself. Want to talk?” Maia decides to explain what has been going on. Her friend listens without judging and asks whether Maia would like help talking to a trusted adult. Together they think of a small first step: writing down the project tasks and asking her teacher which part to tackle first.

Understand wellbeing

Mental health is part of overall wellbeing. In the Māori model of hauora, Te Whare Tapa Whā, taha hinengaro is mental and emotional wellbeing. It connects with taha tinana (physical wellbeing), taha whānau (family and social wellbeing), and taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing). These dimensions can influence one another. Everyone has mental health, and it can change over time.

1.Choose the best description of mental health.

Only whether a person feels happy
How a person thinks, feels, and responds in everyday life
A concern only for adults
Something that matters only when a person is unwell

2.Name two changes in Maia’s scenario that could be clues she is under strain. Explain why a change like this is a reason to check in, not a diagnosis.

3.Maia is sleeping less and has stopped going to touch rugby. Which two dimensions of Te Whare Tapa Whā are especially connected to these details?

Taha tinana and taha whānau
Taha wairua and taha whānau only
Taha hinengaro only
None of the dimensions

4.A person’s mental health can change over time, and asking for help can be a useful step.

TrueFalse

5.Match each Te Whare Tapa Whā dimension with the aspect of wellbeing it describes.

Taha hinengaro
Taha tinana
Taha whānau
Taha wairua

Physical wellbeing
Spiritual wellbeing and what gives life meaning
Mental and emotional wellbeing
Family and social wellbeing

6.A friend says, “I’ve been worried for days and I don’t know what to do.” Which response is the most supportive?

“Everyone feels like that. Just ignore it.”
“You should keep it secret so nobody worries.”
“Thanks for telling me. I can listen, and we could find a trusted adult to talk to.”
“I know exactly how you feel, so do what I did.”

7.Suggest one small, realistic action Maia could take about her project, and name one person who could help with that action.

8.Rewrite this message so it is more accurate and kind: “People who are struggling should just toughen up.”

9.Without sharing private details, write one everyday action that may support wellbeing, one trusted person a young person could approach, and one sign that it may be time to ask for extra help.

10.A young person wants to talk to someone urgently but is not in immediate danger. What free New Zealand service can they call or text for support? What should they do if someone is in immediate danger?